Abraham returns to Cardinals camp, remains starter

Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker John Abraham sacks St. Louis Rams quarterback Kellen Clemens in the fourth quarter of an NFL game on Sunday, Dec. 8,, 2013 in Glendale.(Photo: David Kadlubowski/azcentral sports)

Outside linebacker John Abraham reported to Cardinals camp on Thursday, ready to play football but not to shed light on what kept him away from the game the past three weeks.

"It's just something I had to handle myself," he said. "I've been handling stuff my whole life. My mom had cancer, grandfather died. A lot of stuff in my life hurt me more than this did.

"This is another bump in the road, but the bump is not as big as the hills I've gone through. I'm going to just try to move on."

Abraham was arrested for driving under the influence on June 29 in a suburb of Atlanta. He said he thinks that is "going to be handled. It really wasn't as big as people think. You know how when the media gets a hold of stuff, not trying to knock y'all at all, but they make this thing seem so different than it really was.

"It don't hurt me as much because I know I wasn't really wrong in the situation or how I handled it. I'm letting it handle itself."

According to a police report, officers found Abraham asleep in a car at an intersection. It took several minutes of shouting and pounding on the windows to wake Abraham.

He failed field sobriety tests and declined to take a breath test, according to the report.

Abraham looked healthy and fit on Thursday afternoon, and coach Bruce Arians said Abraham would be in the starting lineup when it's determined he is in football shape.

When that happens, Abraham said, "I'm a football giant."

Cardinals defensive standout John Abraham reports to training camp in Glendale and spoke to reporters about his arrival.
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Abraham won't be able to practice in pads until next week, so he will miss Saturday's preseason game with the Vikings.

He thanked the Cardinals, including Arians and team President Michael Bidwill, for their patience and understanding.

"We'll see what kind of condition he is (in) and get him physically ready," Arians said, "but, yeah, he's going to be our starting 'Will' linebacker. There's no doubt about that. He's never been out of those plans."

The regular season starts Sept.8, and Arians "has all the confidence in the world he'll get himself ready to play."

Sam Acho has replaced Abraham in training camp, and the team has been using rookie Kareem Martin and others in passing situations.

Arians said coaches and players will be supportive of Abraham. "We know he had to go through what he did to get back to here. We're all behind him."

Arizona Cardinals safety Tyrann Mathieu puts on his helmet as he returned to active duty at training camp on Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2014 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Photo: Rob Schumacher/azcentral sports)

Arizona Cardinals defensive end Darnell Dockett goes down in pain during training camp Monday, Aug. 18, 2014 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. Dockett left the field on a cart. (Photo: Rob Schumacher/azcentral sports)

Arizona Cardinals defensive end Darnell Dockett goes down in pain during training camp Monday, Aug. 18, 2014 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. Dockett left the field on a cart. (Photo: Rob Schumacher/azcentral sports)

Arizona Cardinals defensive end Darnell Dockett goes down in pain during training camp Monday, Aug. 18, 2014 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. Dockett left the field on a cart. (Photo: Rob Schumacher/azcentral sports)

Arizona Cardinals defensive end Darnell Dockett goes down in pain during training camp Monday, Aug. 18, 2014 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. Dockett left the field on a cart. (Photo: Rob Schumacher/azcentral sports)

Arizona Cardinals defensive end Darnell Dockett goes down in pain during training camp Monday, Aug. 18, 2014 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. Dockett left the field on a cart. (Photo: Rob Schumacher/azcentral sports)

Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians makes his players run following a scuffle at training camp on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2014 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, AZ. (Photo: Rob Schumacher/azcentral sports)

Cardinals DT Darnell Dockett puts his practice helemt on during training camp at University of Phoenix Stadium July 29, 2014. The league won't let him play with this during the season. (Photo: Michael Chow/azcentral sports)

The Cardinals' Patrick Peterson celebrates with Rashad Johnson (left) after breaking-up a pass play to Ted Ginn Jr. at training camp Monday, July 28, 2014 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, AZ. (Photo: Rob Schumacher/azcentral sports)

Cardinals CB Patrick Peterson takes a selfie for a fan while signing autographs after practice during training camp at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. July 27, 2014. (Photo: Michael Chow/azcentral sports)

Cardinals QB Logan Thomas throws a pass during training camp at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. July 27, 2014. He was drafted this year in the 4th round from Virginia Tech. (Photo: Michael Chow/azcentral sports)